The average age for cars on US roads is 9.4 years for cars and 7.6 years for trucks. For a car consumer durability and brand loyalty mean the most and they go hand-in-hand to increase the roadworthy years of a car. Reliability and durability are the deciding factors that make an automobile desirable.

A latest vehicle dependability study shows how important reliability is the factor that puts the following car brands sold in the US on the forefront for the greatest general dependability:

• The top most dependable cars: Buick and Jaguar
• Lexus, Toyota and Mercury are in the top five
• Suzuki Volkswagen and Land Rover were the last three brands on the list

To determine the most dependable vehicles on the road today, the first owners of three-year-old cars were asked to report in eight categories, the type of problems the vehicles developed over the previous year for:

• Driving experience
• Engine
• Exterior
• Features/controls
• Heating/ventilating/cooling
• Interior
• Seats
• Audio/entertainment/navigation

Final rankings were based on the problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) score. The lower are the scores the higher is the quality of the vehicle.
The top most dependable cars are as the following:

• According to the senior automotive engineer for Consumer Reports, Lexus is reliable, very luxurious and comfortable, with the latest technology
• Toyota's reputation for both reliability and Eco-mindedness makes it highly valued by consumers, according to the New York-based market research company
• The LS 430 sedan scores 61 PP100, the lowest of any model in the study
• The Lexus SC 430, a $66,805 coupe, scored below 100  and beat the Porsche 911 and Chevrolet Corvette in the premium sporty car category
• Consumer Reports ranked the LS 460 sedan the best overall vehicle of 2009
• GM’s Buick is a routine leader in dependability studies and ranked among the top 10 names since 2003

During the purchase of a car, what really matter is its reliability and ownership cost  making it a 'real world' picture of car ownership. A car that does not let down its owner is important to every motorist.
There are two major factors that influence one's version of reliability:

• How often it goes for repairs
• How much it costs you to fix it

A car could break down five times, but only cost you $50 each time to fix, or it could break down once and cost you $1,000.

Car accidents are unforeseen mishaps that can adversely affect automobile/s and people involved. They can critically impact one or more automobiles, people, or structures. Car accidents are often referred to as traffic accidents, auto accidents, road accidents, road traffic accidents or RTA's. RTA's are reported to have caused thousands of fatalities and hundreds of thousands of disabilities each year. According to 2002 statistics, an estimated one million people were killed every year in car accidents, worldwide.

Collisions can occur with other automobiles and vehicles, with pedestrians and with stationary structures or objects, such as trees or road signs. In a collision between two cars, the occupants of a car with the lower mass are likely to suffer the greater damage.

Safety Technology in Your Car That can Save Your Life

Majority of these car crashes/accidents are avoidable and car makers are spending huge fortunes trying to invent foolproof safety systems that alert the driver of road hazards by modifying his distracted driving that can be otherwise dangerous to himself and to others on the road.

Some of the latest safety technology systems that can prevent you from getting into an accident are as the following:

• The Drowsiness detector system: The drowsiness detector system has series of sensors and they continuously monitor different parameters in the driver's body to detect drowsiness in him. If the attention assist  detects drowsiness a 'Time for a rest' message appears on the dashboard and a bell is sounded to alert the driver of his drowsiness
• The  Blind-spot detection system: The blind-spot detection system is an extension of the radar technology that alerts the driver to a vehicle in his blind spot. Blind-spot detection alerts the driver by illuminating an icon in the side view mirror. It also sounds a chime
• The Collision Warning with Brake Assist system: The collision warning with brake assist system is an adaptive cruise control that helps a driver in  avoiding rear-end collision. The radar sensors in this collision warning system with brake assist detects slower-moving vehicles ahead, and sends a visual signal and an audible warning to alert the driver. If the driver fails to react quickly enough, the system activates brakes automatically
• The  Heads-Up Display Enhanced system: A next-generation heads-up display system is now being developed which combines the use of navigation, night vision and lasers to illuminate the road in low visibility. Infrared cameras in the vehicle locate the edge of the road, highlights animals, pedestrians or speed limit signs and lasers images onto the windshield
• Inflatable Seat Belts: Inflatable seat belts aim at protecting rear-seat occupants better. When crash sensors detect an impact, an air bag inside the seat belt gets filled with cold compressed air and bursts through the belt fabric. This way the inflatable seat belts help distribute the force over a wider area, over the passenger's torso to reduce the impact
• The  Lane Keeping Assist system: The lane keeping assist system keeps drivers from drifting into the next lane. A camera inside the front windshield recognizes lane markings and if it detects any lane departure the steering wheel vibrates to alert the drive
• The Pedestrian Detection system: A radar system warns drivers if it detects a pedestrian in front of the car, and automatically brakes if the driver fails to respond quickly enough. It first sounds an alert along with flashes of light in the windshield’s head-up display. It can avoid a collision with pedestrians at speeds up to about 22 mph. At higher speeds, this radar system can remarkably minimize the severity of the impact
• The Traffic Jam Cam: The traffic jam cam is a mobile application available on iTunes for around three dollars as hand-held portable device but will be integrated directly into vehicles soon. The traffic jam cam lets users see current traffic conditions on highways and major roadways directly unlike the erstwhile time-delayed radio traffic reports
• The Rear Traffic Crossing system: Large vehicles can block the view of a driver when he is reversing from a parking lot. This rear traffic crossing system is activated any time a car is in reverse and alerts the driver of traffic crossing behind the vehicle. This rear traffic crossing system uses illuminated icons on the side view mirror and sounds a chime too
• The Wrong Way Driver: Through the car's navigation system, this safety technology sends alerts by sound and optical warnings if it detects that a driver is about to join a road in a wrong direction. If the motorist fails to heed the alerts, it warns the other drivers of the potential danger. This safety technology accomplishes this task through a map on their navigation systems via a vehicle-to-vehicle wireless communication system

      If you install some or all of this safety technology in your car, you can always arrive at your destination safe. However, the best safety technology still is the good old habit of safe driving.

Under the California lemon law a manufacturer is required to repurchase or replace a vehicle if:

• It has a defect or condition that was reported to the manufacturer or dealer
• The defect or condition continues to exist even after a reasonable number of repairs
• It is still under the manufacturer’s warranty

A vehicle is presumed to be subject to a reasonable number of repair attempts if:

• The same nonconformity that is likely to cause death or serious bodily injury has been subject to repair two or more times
• The same nonconformity has been subject to repairs, four or more times
• The vehicle has been out of service for a cumulative 30 calendar days
• The repair attempts have been made within 18 months from delivery or 18,000 miles, whichever occurs first

     Under the California lemon law, if a manufacturer fails to fix the same problem/s in a vehicle after a reasonable number of repair attempts, he must concede the choice of the consumer by either replacing the vehicle or by refunding it.

     When Taking Your Car in for Warranty Service, keep an eye open for the Content of the Repair Order that goes into their computer. The Automobile manufacturer has a strategy to hoodwink you and the California lemon law presumptions by manipulating your complaint on a nonconformity.

Let us see how he does it:

The Automobile manufacturer can ruin the chances of your California lemon law claim by making changes in the language on the repair orders. If your vehicle has started showing transmission problems and you choose to bring it in immediately, say for hard shifting. The dealer’s service writer puts it down religiously on the repair order in his computer. This computer actually has a “flag system” that works whenever you bring your vehicle in for warranty service for the same problem. On your second visit for the same hard shifting issue, your vehicle gets “flagged” on this computer to alert the dealer's technician and service writer about the potential lemon law claim in the offing.

The service writer learns that he is dealing with a dangerous vehicle that may any time after this visit drag the Automobile manufacturer to the court for a California lemon law claim. As a result, either on the same visit of yours or on the next he would choose not to record your complaint for hard shifting. He might choose to write something different. The dealer’s service writer might choose a 'gas pedal sticking' or 'an engine over-rev' for the problem on your second visit, the one after that and the one after that.

Sick with this recalcitrant problem you may choose to file your California lemon law claim after five or six repair attempts for 'hard shifting'. When it is time to submit your service order copies which you have treasured for so long, you will discover that it has only one or two repair orders that mention 'hard shifting' and the rest are of some remote problems you never dreamt of. This whole episode can turn the tables in favor of your car manufacturer. The car manufacturer would argue that he never had enough repair attempts for the nonconformity, pulling a wet rag on your California lemon law claim.

How are you going to protect yourself against this kind of manipulation?

Ensure that YOUR description of the problem appears on the repair order by following the steps:

• Write out your complaints before you go to the dealership. Type your own description of the problems on a computer
• Copy and present it to the service writer
• Insist on their attaching your written complaints to the repair order

     This should entirely remove the opportunity for the service writer to write his own version of the repair order. Keep copies of all the repair orders you placed in the hands of the service writer.

Disclaimer: This information is not intended as legal advice. Please direct your specific questions to K&M attorneys and know more about your lemon law rights. If you want to pursue your lemon law claim, call 1-800 US LEMON® (800-875-3666) toll free, to reach Krohn & Moss for your FREE initial consultation. Or submit your information online for your free case evaluation.

Illinois Lemon Law and the federal Lemon Law (the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act) provide for compensation to Illinois consumers of defective automobiles and trucks  and other vehicles and products including motorcycles, RV’s, boats, computers and other consumer appliances and products. To qualify under the Illinois Lemon Law or the federal Lemon Law, you must generally have a product that suffered multiple repair attempts under the manufacturer’s factory warranty. Lemon Law compensation can include a refund, replacement or cash compensation.

Illinois Lemon Law Summary

The Illinois lemon law covers the following new motor vehicles:

• Passenger cars
• Motor vehicles with a vehicle weight of under 8,000 pounds that are designed for carrying more than 10 persons or used for living quarters, for pulling or carrying freight, cargo or implements of husbandry
• A vehicle purchased or leased by a fire department or fire protection district; and Specified recreational vehicles

The Illinois lemon law does not cover used vehicles.

Warranty Period

• The Illinois Lemon law applies to any written express warranty on the vehicle for one year or 12,000 miles driven, whichever is shorter
• If the warranty has already expired, the Lemon Law does not apply
• The manufacturer or dealer must repair a vehicle in accordance with the warranty if the defect or problem is covered by the warranty and the owner reports it within the warranty period or 12 months after delivery of the vehicle, whichever comes first
• As long as the problem is reported within the warranty period, the manufacturer or dealer must make repairs, even if the warranty subsequently runs out

Reasonable number of attempts of repairs

A presumption that a reasonable number of attempts have been undertaken to conform a new vehicle to its express warranties shall arise where, within the statutory warranty period:

• The same nonconformity has been subject to repair by the seller, its agents or authorized dealers during the statutory warranty period, 4 or more times, and such nonconformity continues to exist
• The vehicle has been out of service by reason of repair of nonconformity for a total of 30 or more business days during the statutory warranty period

If after a reasonable number of attempts the seller is unable to conform the new vehicle to any of its applicable express warranties, the manufacturer shall

• Either provide the consumer with a new vehicle of like model line or otherwise a comparable motor vehicle as a replacement
• Accept the return of the vehicle from the consumer and refund to the consumer the full purchase price or lease cost of the new vehicle

The refund cost should include

• All collateral charges, less a reasonable allowance for consumer use of the vehicle
• The collateral charges do not include taxes paid by the purchaser on the initial purchase of the new vehicle

If the vehicle is converted, modified or altered from the manufacturer's original design, the party which performed the conversion or modification shall be liable under the provisions of the Retailers' Occupation Tax Act.

The Illinois Lemon law has special provisions for vehicles with serious problems:

• If the dealer or manufacturer is unable to repair a vehicle's problem after a reasonable number of attempts, the buyer or person leasing the vehicle has a right to go to the manufacturer's arbitration program or to court and seek a replacement vehicle or a full refund of the purchase or lease price

What constitutes a reasonable number of attempts depends on the problem:

• A reasonable number is four or more unsuccessful attempts to correct the same problem
• More than one unsuccessful attempt to correct a problem that causes a complete failure of the steering or braking system if the defect is likely to cause death or serious bodily harm
• Any warranty repairs that cause the vehicle to be out of service for repairs for 30 or more business days

Disclaimer: This information is not intended as legal advice. Please direct your specific questions to K&M attorneys and know more about your lemon law rights. If you want to pursue your lemon law claim, call 1-800 US LEMON® (800-875-3666) toll free, to reach Krohn & Moss for your FREE initial consultation. Or submit your information online for your free case evaluation.

For 20 years now, the Florida Lemon Law program has evolved as a model for consumer protection efforts for other states and even other countries to follow. Consumers in Florida can count on the Florida Lemon Law program if their new car turns out to be a lemon. $376 million in relief alone shows the value of this free consumer service as the Florida Lemon Law Arbitration program. With a few exceptions, a previously titled vehicle (used car) is not covered by the Florida Lemon Law.

The Florida Lemon Law program DOES NOT COVER

• Used Cars
• Vehicles that run only on tracks
• Off-road vehicles
• Trucks over 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight
• Motorcycles and mopeds
• The living facilities of recreational vehicles

The Florida Lemon Law applies to new or demonstrator motor vehicles which are sold or leased in the State of Florida.

The nonconformity in your vehicle that entitles you to the Florida Lemon Law protection:

A substantial defect or condition is a problem that substantially impairs the use, value, or safety of the vehicle. Minor or trivial defects, or defects caused by accident, abuse, neglect, modification or alteration by anyone other than an authorized service agent are not covered.

There must be three repair attempts for the same defect or condition, OR at least 15 cumulative calendar days out of service for one or more defects or conditions, before submitting the Motor Vehicle Defect Notification (MVDN). If you have either at least three failed repair attempts for the same problem or at least 15 cumulative calendar days out of service, you must file the MVDN by registered mail, return receipt requested to the manufacturer to give the manufacturer a final repair attempt or inspection on your vehicle.
 
If your complaint is based on the vehicle being out of service for 15 or more days the manufacturer or its authorized agent has the opportunity to inspect or repair the vehicle. If the vehicle still does not conform to the warranty for a total of 30 or more days and the manufacturer has had the opportunity to repair, you are entitled to request arbitration.
The Florida Lemon Law gives manufacturers a reasonable number of chances to repair substantial defects in a motor vehicle.

If manufacturers fail to do so, they are required to

• Buy back the defective vehicle
• Pay a refund to the consumer
• Provide a replacement vehicle

Consumers are protected under the Lemon Law for 24 months after the date of delivery of the vehicle. Anyone who experiences problems with a new vehicle during that period should immediately take the vehicle to the manufacturer's authorized dealer.

If you put the manufacturer on notice for the defects or conditions, the manufacturer has 10 days from receipt of the MVDN to respond and direct you to a reasonable accessible repair facility to have a final repair attempt or inspection on your vehicle.  If you receive no response from the manufacturer within 10 days after the date of receipt, the law states the manufacturer has then waived his right to the final repair attempt and you may proceed with your Florida Lemon Law rights.

Since 1988, Florida's Lemon Law unit has handled 20,178 cases. The total dollar value of the recoveries is $376,156,729 with additional cases pending. The Florida Lemon Law Program has been so successful that representatives from Japan, Great Britain and Australia have sought information from Florida to assist with their efforts to develop lemon laws in those countries.

Florida's Lemon Law Arbitration Program is celebrating its 20-year anniversary. Florida's Lemon Law Arbitration Program has excelled a $376 million mark in refunds and replacements for consumers who unwittingly bought defective vehicles. Over the past 20 years, the Florida Lemon Law program has produced refunds or replacement vehicles for more than 14,000 consumers.

Disclaimer: This information is not intended as legal advice. Please direct your specific questions to K&M attorneys and know more about your lemon law rights. If you want to pursue your lemon law claim, call 1-800 US LEMON® (800-875-3666) toll free, to reach Krohn & Moss for your FREE initial consultation. Or submit your information online for your free case evaluation.

In Indiana, state law provides legal protection in the form of lemon laws to help you if you purchase a used car that turns out to have serious defects. The Indiana lemon law sets standards that sellers must follow if the vehicles sold by them are found to have defects.

The Indiana Legislature established the Indiana lemon law or the Motor Vehicle Protection Act, in 1988.

• The Indiana lemon law protects buyers of new and used vehicles in Indiana
• The Indiana lemon law protects anyone who leases a vehicle under a written agreement
• The lemon law protects consumers by providing them with safeguards against anyone selling a car that has serious defects

The Indiana lemon law applies to warrantied vehicles that

• Weigh less than 10,000 pounds
• Registered in Indiana 
• Used on public highways and other roads
• Require registration or licensing before use

The Indiana lemon law does not cover conversion vans, motor homes, farm tractors, snowmobiles, motorcycles or ATVs.

The Indiana lemon law requires:

• The manufacturers to repair, replace or repurchase a vehicle sold to the consumer if it has defects that substantially impair the use, market value or safety
• Consumers to take their vehicles to the dealer or seller to report the problem and request repairs as soon as possible

The Indiana lemon law allows a buyer a limited amount of time to make a lemon law claim on a vehicle that is within 18,000 miles or 18 months from the date of the delivery of the vehicle. The Indiana lemon law protects a consumer if he has first requested for repairs within the set period of the 18-month period.

The Indiana lemon law allows the seller or the manufacturer another chance of repairing the vehicle which means that the Indiana lemon law provides for 'a reasonable number of repair attempts'. According to the Indiana lemon law, the 'reasonable number' is four. The Indiana lemon law allows 30 business days for repairs. The Indiana lemon law requires the seller or manufacturer to provide the buyer with an alternative vehicle while the vehicle is subjected to repairs.

According to the Indiana lemon law, if the issue persists even after the reasonable number of repairs, the seller or manufacturer must buy back the vehicle or provide a replacement within 30 days.

• The repurchase price must be equal to the total contract price at the time of sale
• The repurchase price must include all sales tax
• The repurchase price must include the registration fee and excise tax paid by the buyer at the time the vehicle was purchased
• The repurchase price must include incidental expenses incurred by the consumer for towing and rental car caused by the nonconformity

Disclaimer: This information is not intended as legal advice. Please direct your specific questions to K&M attorneys and know more about your lemon law rights. If you want to pursue your lemon law claim, call 1-800 US LEMON® (800-875-3666) toll free, to reach Krohn & Moss for your FREE initial consultation. Or submit your information online for your free case evaluation.

How to remove residues of paint left by others accidentally

It is possible that while  parking you must have bumped into an object that was freshly painted. It is possible that the original clear coat also got damaged exposing the car body to a possible rusting condition. Attend to it before more damage is done.

To remove the residue you would need

• An ultra-fine 1500-grit or 2000-grit waterproof sandpaper
• Polishing compound with mild abrasive
• A car wax

How to remove the residue:

• Carefully sand the marks with wet sandpaper without disturbing the clear coat
• Use only ultra-fine waterproof sandpaper until all marks are gone
• Try on some small spot to test
• Once the the mark is gone it  is possible that the clear coat has lost some of its sheen
• Use the polishing compound to restore the sheen
• Put a small amount of the polishing compound on a damp sponge
• Rub well until the clear coat starts shining again
• Buff the area with the car wax

How to repair stone chips and deep scratches
Stone are yet another bane a car has to face all the time. If not regularly attended to, stone chips cause corrosion. It is as good idea to repair stone chips as soon as they appear.

• Clean and dry the car
• Buy the matching spray paint and tooth picks
• Shake the spray paint thoroughly
• Spray very small amount into the cap
• Dip the end of the toothpick into the paint in the cap
• Fill in the paint into the stone chip
• You can use a touch-up paint with a brush too

Undercoating and rustproofing your vehicle

Undercoating and rustproofing is very important if you live in an area

• With high humidity
• Where the salt use is common in winter months

Generally, the brake system located underneath the car is completely gets corroded in highly humid coastal areas and the brake lines can burst leaving the car with no brakes. To protect important components of the car from corrosion undercoating and rustproofing should be done properly.

Wax your car regularly

• A car wax gives your car a sheen
• A car wax helps to shield the paint from harsh environment
• A car wax shield the paint from fading
• A car wax takes only about 30 minutes to wax a whole car
• A high-quality car wax stays on the car for three  to four months
• To maintain protective coat the car wax needs to be reapplied periodically